Celtic meet Falkirk away from home for their next Scottish Premiership match on Sunday as they look to extend their lead at the top of the tableh.
Falkirk vs Celtic – Match preview and team news
- Date: Sunday, 1st November.
- Kick-off: 1pm BST.
- Venue: The Falkirk Stadium.
Falkirk team news
Falkirk boss John McGlynn is grappling with an extensive defensive crisis and multiple forced absences as his side prepares to host the champions.
The Bairns will definitely be without Leon McCann, who picked up an injury early in their last outing, alongside Keelan Adams, who is sidelined with an ankle issue.
The medical room remains busy with forward Aodhan Doherty ruled out due to a foot and ankle problem, and Joe Gardner unavailable with a thigh and hamstring complaint.
Adding to the selection headaches, key midfielder Aidan Nesbitt remains a major doubt after sustaining an ankle knock, leaving him facing a late fitness test to determine his availability.
On a more positive note, manager McGlynn receives a timely boost as Ethan Laidlaw has successfully returned to training and is pushing for a spot back in the matchday squad to provide some much-needed reinforcement.
Celtic team news
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill faces several crucial selection decisions ahead of the clash against Falkirk following dropped points in midweek.
The Hoops will be without the services of right-back Alistair Johnston and winger Yang Hyun-jun, who are both sidelined with hamstring injuries.
Additionally, defender Auston Trusty is unavailable due to a family bereavement, while Joel van den Berg misses out as he continues to work towards full match fitness.
Tactically, the manager is expected to abandon the experimental “three centre-forward” system used mid-week. This shift will likely see Kasper Høgh drop to the bench, allowing Camilo Durán to lead the line as a traditional number nine. Meanwhile, marquee winger Jota may see limited action or be rested entirely to protect him from Falkirk’s synthetic pitch.
Form
Falkirk
John McGlynn’s side enters the match in fantastic domestic form, sitting sixth in the Scottish Premiership after a three-game winning streak. The Bairns recently secured a crucial 1-0 away victory against Aberdeen, which followed a dominant 3-0 win over Kilmarnock and a hard-fought 2-1 triumph over Hibernian. Aside from a minor 2-1 slip against Dundee, Falkirk’s resilient defensive organization and clinical finishing have made them one of the league’s most in-form teams
Celtic
The league leaders remain top of the table despite facing mixed results across all competitions. In the Premiership, Martin O’Neill’s side is unbeaten in their last four outings, including a spectacular 7-1 thrashing of Hearts and a 2-1 victory over Hibernian. However, they dropped points mid-week in a 2-2 draw with Dundee United and have struggled continentally, enduring consecutive Europa League losses to Benfica (4-1) and Celta Vigo (2-1).
Predicted lineups
Falkirk: Bain; Strain, Neilson, Henderson, Tanser; Krauhaus, Spencer; Ross, Barbrook, Eames; Murrell
Celtic: Johnstone; Donovan, Murray, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Baur; Duran, Nygren, Osmand; Hogh
How to watch Falkirk vs Celtic?
Sky Sports is the official live broadcaster for the Falkirk vs Celtic match in the UK.
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